Erythema Multiforme
What is Erythema Multiforme?
Erythema Multiforme is a self limiting skin condition that can reoccur. It is associated with infections that are caused by bacteria, fungus, parasites, or virus, certain medications, and other triggers. Medications that could cause erythema multiforme include Penicillin, Barbiturates, Phenytoin, and Sulfonamides. Infections that could trigger it are herpes simplex and mycoplasma. Virus infections that could trigger erythema multiforme include Adenovirus, Hepatitis viruses, and Cytomegalovirus. It commonly infects adults aged 20 to 40, and while there is no racial bias, males are more susceptible to the skin condition than females.
Erythema Multiforme Sympotms
Symptoms of erythema multiforme can be mild to severe. Symptoms include fever, chills, fatigue, bloodshot eyes, eye pain, mouth sores, dry eyes, vision problems, general ill feeling, weakness and painful joints. Skin lesions will appear on the skin, a few to hundreds could erupt. They typically develop over 2 to 3 days, and will look different on various places of the body. They will appear equally on both sides of the body. They are usually first seen on the backs of the hands, the top of the feet, and then spread on the limbs to the trunk. Upper limbs are effected more than the lower limbs. Mild itching or burning could take place. The skin lesions will appear to be red/pink and round at first, and then become raised, enlarging to form plaques that can be several cm in diameter. The center of the skin lesion will be dusky or dark red, which looks like a blister or has crusted over. The next ring is a paler pink that is raised due to fluid swelling. The outer ring will be a bright red.
More often than not, mucous membranes are involved in erythema multiforme. It is most commonly seen in the lips, tongue and inside of the cheek, but can be seen on the gums, palate, and floor of the mouth. Erythema multiforme could effect the eyes, anus or genitals, gastrointestinal tract and the trachea.
Erythema Multiforme Treatment
If you suspect you have erythema multiforme, have a doctor do an examination. At the examination, your skin will be examined and you will be asked questions about the skin condition and your history. A skin biopsy could be done, as well as a skin tissue examination under a microscope.
Treatment for erythema multiforme will include not only controlling the illness that is causing the infection, but preventing infection and treating any symptoms. If a case of mild erythema multiforme is seen, antihistamines could be given to stop the itching. Moist compressions can be applied to the skin, topical anesthetics could be applied to the skin to ease any discomfort, and oral antiviral medication could be prescribed if the reaction is caused by the herpes simplex virus. Medicated mouthwash can be used for sores in the mouth, and acetaminophen can help to reduce fever and pain. In cases of severe erythema multiforme, antibiotics will be prescribed for skin infections, corticosteroids will be given to control the inflammation, and intravenous immunoglobulins(IVIG) are used to stop the disease.
Erythema Multiforme Prevention
To prevent erythema multiforme, good hygiene will be needed. This will help to prevent any secondary infections. Use sunscreen to prevent hyperpigmentation. A Zinc sulfate solution can also be applied to the site of the herpes simplex to prevent any relapse from happening. A daily dose of prescribed oral antiviral medication may be needed to prevent and manage erythema multiforme.
Usually, erythema multiforme will go away on its own in 4 to 6 weeks. If the case is mild enough, there many not be any course of action taken for treatment.
Reference Sources:
2. Kids Help
Thanks for the article on erythema multiforme. My mother was diagnosed with this last week. I was unable to go to the doctor with her, and since she has the run down feeling, is not feeling the best to let me know what is all going on and what has caused it. I now feel that I know a bit more about the skin condition. She had a severe case of it. She had the sores in her mouth and her body was just covered in many of the skin lesions. She had a skin biopsy done, and I believe some other tests. Thankfully she seems to be doing a lot better but the condition took a lot out of her! She was given antibiotics and corticosteroids for the infection and inflammation. She never said anything about a mouthwash that was given to her, but I am going to make sure that she gets one as I bet that these sores in the mouth are rather painful. She also is taking antihistamines for the itching. Great info here for me on learning on it all started and what we can do for my mother. I pray that it goes away soon and that it does not return to her but at least now I know what the signs and symptoms are.
hey, what exactly did she take and is she fully cured. I was in the military in 2008 when the drill instructors forced a dirty mouthpiece into my mouth. I’ve broken out with this and ever since, ive been suffering with this condition for 10 years. My body is all covered in the plaques and theyre off and on. Does your mother still have this and is there any permanent fix to this?
I suffer from erythema multiforme. It has spread to my eyes. I had been camping and thought that I had gotten into some poison ivy. I developed the skin rash, and then my eyes became infected. They were bloodshot and I started having trouble with my vision. I knew then that this was more than poison ivy. Doctor helped to treat me successfully. I did apply cool compressed on my skin that felt good. I was thankful for when the skin condition resolved itself. That was the only episode that I had, and now I take precautions on having good hygiene. I also have been applying sunscreen, which is something that I had never done before because I never burned. But the doctor explained to me that applying sunscreen is essential in order to have a healthy body and healthy skin. It is a pain to apply and I hate the greasy feeling, but if it helps to protect my entire body, I am willing to do it.
wow ive been suffering from this off and on for 10 years. I will try the sun screen…. it seems to outbreak worst when i sweat and i am a daily gym rat. I will definitrly try sun screen!
I wish a few years ago I had known about prevention for erythema multiforme. I developed a mild case of it. Since then I have had one re-occurrence. I took pain killers for the pain and to bring my fever down. I just had the unwell feeling. I applied the corticosteroids that I was given to my skin, and since I had them in my mouth, was given a mouthwash to use. This helped my mouth pain out greatly. This is not a skin condition to monkey around with. It can effect so much of the body, not just the skin. I am grateful that I went to the doctor right away to get it under control so it did not escalate to a more severe case. Within 4 weeks of each occurrence, it went away. I am now on a antiviral medication to help prevent any re-occurrences, which I do feel is doing its job. I have not had any issues for over 8 months, and I do hope that it stays that way.
Great article here on erythema multiforme. I have never heard of this skin condition before but it sounds like it could be a pain in the rear. I do apply sunscreen daily and always make sure that my hygiene is up to par. While one has erythema multiforme, do they need to be away from others? Is it contagious?
its not contagious and i am currently suffering from it. unfortunately for 10 years. i got it while i was in the military and they forced a dirty mouth piece into my mouth. I will definitely try the sun screen. its a sad feeling to know that you once had perfect skin, you defend your country, and your come back spotted up from plaques